Video display mounting system and method

ABSTRACT

A display panel mounting system comprises a mounting base having at least one pin, and a mating mechanism coupled to a display panel for coupling to the mounting base. The mating mechanism comprises a first plate fixed to the display panel comprising a pair of prongs having an opening for receiving the pin of the mounting base, and a second plate movable coupled to the first plate, comprising a latch for securing the pin between the pair of prongs of the first plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to video display installations, and moreparticularly to a mounting system for mounting/un-mounting a videodisplay to a substrate.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Video systems in automotive applications provide travelers withentertainment. The video systems typically include a liquid crystaldisplay and a media player such as a digital video disk player. Thesmall size and high value of this equipment presents a tempting targetfor thieves. Automotive dealerships have become targets of these thievesdue to the high concentration of valuable equipment, including Xenonheadlamps, and stereo and video systems, and the typically lax securityassociated with dealer lots.

Therefore, a need exists for a system for mounting/un-mounting a videodisplay from a vehicle, wherein the video display may be secured awayfrom the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for installing a display panel in a vehicle comprisesinstalling a mounting base in the vehicle, preparing the display panelwith a mating mechanism, shipping the vehicle and the display panel to aretail seller, and receiving, by the retail seller, the vehicle and thedisplay panel. The method comprises coupling the display panel to thevehicle via the mating mechanism and the mounting base after receipt ofthe vehicle and display panel by the retail seller.

The vehicle and the display panel are delivered to the retail sellerfrom respective manufacturers of the vehicle and the display panel.

The method comprises delaying the coupling of the display panel to thevehicle via the mating mechanism and the mounting base until a timeafter the vehicle and display panel are contracted for sale to aconsumer.

The method comprises removing an installed display panel from thevehicle at a time after the receipt of the vehicle, wherein the displaypanel is delivered to the retailer seller installed in the vehicle,wherein the coupling of the display panel to the vehicle via the matingmechanism and the mounting base is performed at a time after the vehicleand display panel are contracted for sale to a consumer.

A display panel mounting system comprises a mounting base, having atleast one pin, coupled to a vehicle, and a mating mechanism coupled to adisplay panel for coupling to the mounting base. The mating mechanismcomprises a first plate fixed to the display panel comprising a pair ofprongs having an opening for receiving the pin of the mounting base, anda second plate movable coupled to the first plate, comprising a latchfor securing the pin between the pair of prongs of the first plate.

The display panel mounting system further comprises a spring mechanismmaintaining a closed position of the latch with respect to the prong,wherein the second plate may be moved against the first plate, movingthe latch away from the opening of the pair of prongs, enabling the pairof prongs to receive or release the pin, against a force of the springmechanism.

The display panel comprises at least two edges having respective matingmechanism. The mating mechanism comprises a plurality of pairs of prongsfor receiving respective pins of the mounting base and latches forsecuring the pins between the respective pairs of prongs. The matingmechanism is integrated into a tray coupled to the display panel.

The mounting base comprises a tray having a generally rectangular shape,and a plurality of sidewalls forming a top wall, a bottom wall, a leftwall and a right wall defining an enclosure having an open front,wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprising the pin, wherein thepin extends outward and perpendicular to the sidewall. The pin mayextend inward and perpendicular to the sidewall.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display panelmounting system includes a mounting base, having at least one pin,coupled to a display panel and a mating mechanism coupled to a vehiclefor coupling to the mounting base. The mating mechanism comprises, afirst plate fixed to the vehicle comprising a pair of prongs having anopening for receiving the pin of the mounting base, and a second platemovable coupled to the first plate, comprising a latch for securing thepin between the pair of prongs of the first plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a mounting system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of a mounting system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of a mounting base according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of mounting mechanisms according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3C and 3D are illustrations of mounting mechanisms according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3E and 3F are illustrations of mounting mechanisms according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a mounting mechanism according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow charts of methods for installing a videodisplay according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a mounting system includes a mountingbase 100 and a mating mechanism, e.g., 101 or 104. The mounting base iscoupled to a vehicle, e.g., a car, a sports utility vehicle (SUV), arecreational vehicle (RV), a boat, etc. The mating mechanism 101 iscoupled to a video display 102, or may be incorporated into the designof the video display 102. The mounting base 100 and mating mechanism 101engage one-another to secure the video display 102 to the vehicle. Themating mechanism 101/104 may be secured to the video display 102 by, forexample, screws 103. The mating mechanism 101/104 may include multiplemating units 101 a and 101 b, as depicted in FIG. 1A, or may beintegrated into a mating tray 104 as depicted in FIG. 1B. Further, themounting base 100 may be coupled to the display while the matingmechanism 101/104 is coupled to the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the mounting base 100 is formed as a tray 200including sidewalls 201-204. The mounting base 100 may be formed of ametal such as Aluminum, a plastic or another rigid material. At leastone of the sidewalls includes one or more pins 205. The pins 205 projectoutward, perpendicular to the sidewall. The pins 205 may be disposed toproject inwards, perpendicular to the sidewall as shown in FIG. 2B. Themounting base 100 is secured to the vehicle using, for example, screwsor clips. The mounting base 100 may be secured to, for example, avehicle ceiling, a kitchen wall, or a vehicle seatback or headrest.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a mating mechanism 101 according to FIG. 1A.FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate a mating mechanism 104 according to FIG. 1B.The mating mechanism 101/104 includes a first plate 300 and a movablycoupled second plate 301. The first plate 300 includes a pair of prongs302 for receiving a pin 205 of a mounting base 100 (see also FIGS. 3Eand 3F). The second plate 301 includes a latch 303 for securing the pin205 in the pair of prongs 302. A spring mechanism 304 maintains a closedposition of the latch 303 with respect to the pair of prongs 302 (seeFIG. 4). A first end 400 of the spring 304 is coupled to a mounting arm402. The mounting arm 402 is secured to a pin 404, such as a screw,extending through an oversized opening 403 of the second plate 301. Asecond end 401 of the spring 304 is coupled to the second plate 301, forexample, by a hook on the second end 401 of the spring 304 extendinginto a hole in the second plate 301. A similar coupling mechanism may beused to couple the first end 400 of the spring 304 to the mounting arm402.

The first plate 300 and the second plate 301 are coupled by hardware305, for example, a rivet or screw 404 fixed to the first plate 300 andpassing through the oversized opening 403 in the second plate 301,wherein the rivet or screw is moveable within an area defined by theoversized opening 403. A nut or other locking mechanism 405 may be usedto prevent the first plate 300 and the second plate 301 from separatelywhile allowing the plates 300-301 to move against one-another (see FIG.4). FIG. 3E shows a closed position, wherein a pin 205 is engaged by theprong 302 and secured by the latch 303. FIG. 3F shows an open positionallowing the pin 205 to freely engage/disengage the prong 302. Thesecond plate 301 may include a handle 306 for manipulating the matingmechanism.

The video display may include a mechanism for communicating with a mediaplayer or other content provider/receiver, such as stereo equipment. Thevideo display may include other hardware, including, for example, aCD-ROM player or DVD player.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a release mechanism for a video displaymay be used to remove the video display from certain situations were arisk such as damage or theft may be increased. As shown in FIG. 5A, amounting base may be installed in a vehicle as part of the vehicleassembly process 501, while the video display and mating mechanism areshipped to vehicle dealerships 503. The video displays may be installedby the dealership at a time after the vehicle arrives at the dealership503, for example, upon receipt of the vehicle or upon delivery of thevehicle to a consumer. As shown in FIG. 5B, the mounting base and videodisplay having the mating mechanism may be installed during assembly ofthe vehicle or by an aftermarket installer 504. The vehicle and completevideo system is delivered to a dealership 505, whereupon the dealer maychoose to remove the video display and mating mechanism 506 until a saleof the vehicle to a consumer 507. Accordingly, the video display may beprotected from damage or theft. It should be noted that a consumer mayremove the video display.

Having described embodiments for a video display mounting system, it isnoted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilledin the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of theinvention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. Having thus described theinvention with the details and particularity required by the patentlaws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is setforth in the appended claims.

1. A method for installing a display panel in a vehicle comprising:installing a mounting base in the vehicle; preparing the display panelwith a mating mechanism; shipping the vehicle and the display panel to aretail seller; receiving, by the retail seller, the vehicle and thedisplay panel; and coupling the display panel to the vehicle via themating mechanism and the mounting base after receipt of the vehicle anddisplay panel by the retail seller.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe vehicle and the display panel are delivered to the retail sellerfrom respective manufacturers of the vehicle and the display panel. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising delaying the coupling of thedisplay panel to the vehicle via the mating mechanism and the mountingbase until a time after the vehicle and display panel are contracted forsale to a consumer.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingremoving an installed display panel from the vehicle at a time after thereceipt of the vehicle, wherein the display panel is delivered to theretailer seller installed in the vehicle, wherein the coupling of thedisplay panel to the vehicle via the mating mechanism and the mountingbase is performed at a time after the vehicle and display panel arecontracted for sale to a consumer.
 5. A display panel mounting systemcomprising: a mounting base, having at least one pin, coupled to avehicle; and a mating mechanism coupled to a display panel for couplingto the mounting base, wherein the mating mechanism comprises, a firstplate fixed to the display panel comprising a pair of prongs having anopening for receiving the pin of the mounting base, and a second platemovable coupled to the first plate, comprising a latch for securing thepin between the pair of prongs of the first plate.
 6. The display panelmounting system of claim 5, further comprising a spring mechanismmaintaining a closed position of the latch with respect to the prong,wherein the second plate may be moved against the first plate, movingthe latch away from the opening of the pair of prongs, enabling the pairof prongs to receive or release the pin, against a force of the springmechanism.
 7. The display panel mounting system of claim 5, wherein thedisplay panel comprises at least two edges having respective matingmechanism.
 8. The display panel mounting system of claim 5, wherein themating mechanism comprises a plurality of pairs of prongs for receivingrespective pins of the mounting base and latches for securing the pinsbetween the respective pairs of prongs.
 9. The display panel mountingsystem of claim 5, wherein the mating mechanism is integrated into atray coupled to the display panel.
 10. The display panel mounting systemof claim 5, wherein the mounting base comprises: a tray having agenerally rectangular shape; and a plurality of sidewalls forming a topwall, a bottom wall, a left wall and a right wall defining an enclosurehaving an open front, wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprisingthe pin, wherein the pin extends outward and perpendicular to thesidewall.
 11. The display panel mounting system of claim 5, wherein themounting base comprises: a tray having a generally rectangular shape;and a plurality of sidewalls forming a top wall, a bottom wall, a leftwall and a right wall defining an enclosure having an open front,wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprising the pin, wherein thepin extends inward and perpendicular to the sidewall.
 12. A displaypanel mounting system comprising: a mounting base, having at least onepin, coupled to a display panel; and a mating mechanism coupled to avehicle for coupling to the mounting base, wherein the mating mechanismcomprises, a first plate fixed to the vehicle comprising a pair ofprongs having an opening for receiving the pin of the mounting base, anda second plate movable coupled to the first plate, comprising a latchfor securing the pin between the pair of prongs of the first plate. 13.The display panel mounting system of claim 12, further comprising aspring mechanism maintaining a closed position of the latch with respectto the prong, wherein the second plate may be moved against the firstplate, moving the latch away from the opening of the pair of prongs,enabling the pair of prongs to receive or release the pin, against aforce of the spring mechanism.
 14. The display panel mounting system ofclaim 12, wherein the mating mechanism comprises a plurality of pairs ofprongs for receiving respective pins of the mounting base and latchesfor securing the pins between the respective pairs of prongs.
 15. Thedisplay panel mounting system of claim 12, wherein the mating mechanismis integrated into a tray.
 16. The display panel mounting system ofclaim 12, wherein the mounting base comprises: a tray having a generallyrectangular shape; and a plurality of sidewalls forming a top wall, abottom wall, a left wall and a right wall defining an enclosure havingan open front, wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprising the pin,wherein the pin extends outward and perpendicular to the sidewall. 17.The display panel mounting system of claim 12, wherein the mounting basecomprises: a tray having a generally rectangular shape; and a pluralityof sidewalls forming a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall and a rightwall defining an enclosure having an open front, wherein at least one ofthe sidewalls comprising the pin, wherein the pin extends inward andperpendicular to the sidewall.